Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
- Publication
- Publication Type
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Law
Notre Dame Lawyer - Spring 1997, Notre Dame Law School
Is This Appropriate?, Thomas L. Shaffer, Julia B. Meister
Is This Appropriate?, Thomas L. Shaffer, Julia B. Meister
Journal Articles
The word "appropriate" is so wildly overused in American culture that, as with other vacuous words and phrases, a person learns to read right through it. "Appropriate" is verbal tofu. This Essay pauses instead of reading through, particularly to notice the instances in which "appropriate" and its negative counterpart are used to give the appearance of a moral or legal judgment.
"Appropriate," chosen to express a legal judgment, is not only vacuous; it is also irresponsible. It catches the legislator, judge, or administrator in the act of passing the buck, as the President did when he ordered the Justice Department …